[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [Ancient Indian Historical Tradition](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.pargiter-1922) › c8.59 # Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c8.59 Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c8.59 - **Language:** English ### [c8.59](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.pargiter-1922.c8.59) The first three subjects that Puranas should treat of are based on imagination, are wholly fanciful, and do not admit of any practical examination; hence it would be a vain pursuit to investigate them here. The fourth and fifth subjects however, genealogies and tales of ancient kings, profess to be historical tradition and do admit of chronological scrutiny; hence they are well worth considering. It is manifest from the Rigvedic hymns that there was real civilization in India, there were independent kings, and famous exploits were celebrated in song. Independent kings imply separate dynasties. Dynasties had genealogies, hence there were genealogies to be incorporated in the original Purana. The genealogies will be dealt with in chapters VIII and IX. Here may be noticed the fifth subject, and there is plenty of tradition to testify who were the ancient kings renowned for their deeds. - [Previous: c8.58](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.pargiter-1922.c8.58) - [Next: c8.60](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.pargiter-1922.c8.60) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.pargiter-1922.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.pargiter-1922.c8.59](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.pargiter-1922.c8.59) · Pramāṇa